CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Issue 47, 23 August 1935, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

GITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE.

, Undoubtedly one of tne'most ambitious productions ever presented'on the screen, British International Pictures' Drake of England," which is the main feature at the Regent Theatre, is a thrilling" chapter from England's immortal story. Francis Drake, adventurer, pirate, "knight, lover, conqueror of the great Armada, the most colourful and romantic figure in .Englishl history—is magnificently portrayed by Matheson ' Lang. The wonderful story of England's might—a story that ever sends a thrill of pride surging through the blood of every Britisher—revolves to a great extent around her prowess on the seas. In-spired-by a daring spirit of adventure and encouraged by their "Pirate •Queen," men in the days of "Good Queen Bess" undertook sea voyages and expeditions hitherto undreamed of. So great was Drake's power that even mighty Spain,' England's enemy from time ■. immemorial, feared him. .The Highlight;of the film is the unforgeltable^battle between the mighty Spanish' Armada and the tiny English fleet. Athene Seyler gives a convincing portrayal as Queen Elizabeth, playing the part with such emphasis and vigour that- it is outstanding. Jane Baxter plays the role,of Elizabeth Sydenham, who afterwards becomes Lady Drake.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

, GRAND OrERA HOUSE

Leslie' Banks, one of the best-known of- English actors, Paul Robeson, the great singer, and Nina Mac MacKinney, accomplished actress, head the cast- of "Sanders of the River," the Alexander Korda film which is screening for a further week at the New Opera House. This picture, which is based on the famous creation, of Edgar Wallace, shows the perils and purposes of the men of the Colonial Office who rule over vast territories in darkest Africa in the name of their king. Sanders is supreme in his river territory; it is when he goes on leave to be married that a false report of h,is death spreads excitement and lawlessness on the river. In support of the principal attraction is an interesting array of films. .Included., in these the latest Cinesound Review, ' • "ig Squeal," a comedy- featuring Hyde, and a cartoon in which i. amous Mickey . Mouse operates a service station.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

DE liUXE THEATRE.

• , With Tin, all-star- cast fairly crammed with big names, one of the most elaborate screen presentations of recent year-is now "showing at the De Luxe Theatre.' ' It is "David Charles .Dickens's favourite novel, which comes to life with its myriad of .interesting characters through the medium of the films.- Reproduced with fidelity from- Dickens's best-beloved

story, rfijme'd both in England -and in > 'Hollywood, the picture has .proved one 'of the most sensational'hits'of-ree'erft years: Sixty-five stare jind .featured players make up the "key" characters of. the cast. W. C. Fields creates the immortal Wilkins Micawber, Esq., the imDfpviaenf'butt happy who'is "always ■ expecting something <to ,turn up." > Frank Lawton plays tjie' adult David Copperfield, and "the child role is playediby "one of 'the brilliant juvenile .-discoveries of recent years, a'ten-ycar-old'"lad named .Freddie Ba'rtholo^' mew. "Lionel N Barrymore, Madge Evans,'Maureen O'Sullivan.'Edna May Oliver, Lewis Stone, Elizabeth Alien, an 4 Roland Young.are .amQng t)ie distinguished players who were chosen to cr"eate'characters"that are immortal figures of literature.

KING^S' THEATRE.

PRINCESS THEATRE

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

Joan. Bldndell and Glenda Farreli, the pair who caused explosions of laughter*--iii "Havana "Widows"...^ahd other • pictures, again are teamed as_a

couple of gold-digging manicurists >n ' the Warner Bros, picture, "The Kansas ) City Princess," which is no\v\showing ~ at • • the -Theatre. -, Sup- ■' porting this comedy pair are such famous comedians as Hugh Herbert, Robert Armstrong, Osgood Perkins, Hobart Cavanaugh, and Gordon Weslcolt, which-places "The Kansas City Princess" high in the ranks of riotous funmakers. The additional feature.' is "No Escape," starring lan Hunter and Bihnie Barnes; It is a gripping adyen*ture "romance, that races on to a terrific climax.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

PLAZA THEATRE'

* For the first time.in -her sensational career on the screen, Katharine Hepburn is said to come to audiences in a throbbing love-story that parallels trie great romances of history and fiction. "Break of-Hearts," which is now showing at the Plaza Theatre, has a powerful, inspiring story1 of love and 'self-sacrificing /devotion. '.• "Break of Hearts" >iS said to give the star- a role that thoroughly fits her complex personality. It" has the witchery of light comedy, that won. her the academy award in "Morning Glory." It has the humanness that characterised her portrayal of Jo "in "Little Women." To these has been added 'the glamorous beauty that was revealed in'"The Little Minister," only this time it is clothed in ultra-smart gowns instead of, Romany .costume. Chafles Boyer is co-starred with T&iss Hepburn, irrthis RKO-Radio 'picture, his role being that of an eminent symphony orchestra conductor whose romance with an aspiring girl -musician provides the plot. Musicians from ten of the,world's most famous orchestras are included in the eight-five piece symphony orchestra. * , '

' ROXY THEATKE.

■ Shirley Temple 'is to be iseen at the Roxy Theatre in her best Fox picture, "Bright Eyes." Once more James Dunn is' cast as Shirley's leading man—a fact which is said to ;haye 'enchanted the"-young star, .limmy appeared as her daddy in "Stand Up and Cheer" and "Baby Take a Bow," and Shirley has c3 res for no one else, they say, when he is on tho fret. Audiences everywhere are said to ,have greeted "Bright Eyes" .as ths finest ,and most heart-warming picture m which Shirley Has" been seen. A human 'and compelling story, that at moments brings the tears, is combined with many thrills. George O'Brien in Zane Grey!s. Western romance,'' "The Dude "Ranger," is the "supporting feature. v .. ,-. (

SHORTT'S THEATRjG.

The sensationally successful Columbia production, "One Night of Love," which-servesias a starring'vehicle for the glamorous Grace Moore, stage and screen favourite, is now showing at Shortt's Theatre. The film play presents an cntrancingly.- novel blend of romance, comedy, music, drama, and exotic settings. It concerns an ambitious;- carefree young girl who' travels to Italy" to'- study voice culture. ■ -There she meets a gay young American blade with a fortune in the bank and ro-mance-in his heart, and also a-Charm-ing, 'debonair music teacher, portrayed by Tullio Carminati. ■ Miss Moore sings several" of the greatest arias written by the. music masters for .the operatic stage. The second feature is "The Wrecker," a tense, exciting picture, with: the ever-popular Jack" Holt in ithe.'starring role.. The producers have surrounded him with a faultless cast, including Genevieve. Tobin, Sidney 'Blackmer,'George E. Stone,, qnd Ward Bond.

GRAND THEATRE, TETONE.

REX- THEATRE.

Excellent,. acting, .fascinating backgrounds, characters who are much alive, and a'plot which bubbles-over with .suspense all play their' parts 'in making Universal's "Bombay Mail," ■which is now showing .at the Rex Theatre, - one of the most gripping screen-play mysteries seen in a long time. . More than a "dozen people are^ suspected '< of crimes, - which- are solved by Edmund Lowe, who plays the, part of Inspector Dyke. A splendid cast includes Shirley Grey, Onslow Stevens, John Davidson, Dalph Forbes. Hedda, "Hopper, and Ferdinand Gottschalk. "Embarrassing Moments," staring Chester Morris, with Marion Nixon and a prominent cast of film actors and actresses, forms the supporting features -

'"G Men," the sensational picture written about the heroic deeds of the secret service men in the United States Government Department of Justice, is the main feature at the Majestic Theatre. The picture is said to be one of the most thrilling and dramatic pictures ever presented, based on sensational newspaper headlines which have covered the front pages of American dailies. ' The production is enacted by an all-star cast headed by James Cagney as the leading "G Man," the red-headed star having turned from crook roles to Government agent. Margaret Lindsay has the leading feminine role opposite him. There is an unusual number directed by Bobby Connolly in which scores of beautiful girls dance, with Ann Dvorak as a night club entertainer who is in love with Cagney, but who, when her affection is not returned, marries a gangster. The role afTords her another opportunity to sing and dance for which she displayed surprising' ability recently in Rudy Vallee's film "Sweet Music" She sings a song specially written for the production by Fain and Kahal, the famous song-writing team. It is entitled "You Bother Me an Awful Lot"

A picture heralded as a thrilling rovelation,in musical spectacles is now showing at the St. James Theatre with the First National production of "Flirtation Walk." There is an all-star cast headed by the favourite singer Dick Powell, charming Ruby Keelcr playin" the romantic lead opposite him, and Pat OBricn.in the role-of a "hard-boiled" army sergeant. There are two great special numbers -that are said to outdo anything ever presented before for originality and ■ novelty. -One is an authentic Hawaiian love feasjt with its traditional unique native' dances performed by sixty Hawanan beauties and as many men. Dick also sings a Hawaiian number to the accompaniment of Sol Hoopii's famous native orchestra. The second big speciality is the presentation of West Point's Hundredth Night Play by members of the casein which there are more beautiful i girls. xln this'number Powell sings three catchy original songs by the famous song team of Allie Wrubel and Mort Dixon. These include "Mr. and Mrs. in "the Name," the title song "Flir- , tation Walk," and "No Horse, No Wife. No Moustache." ,

- A-fine'double feature programme is now being shown at the King's Theatre. "Ladies Love Danger," starring Mona Barrie and Gilbert' Roland, with a big supporting cast, is a thrilling murder mystery, with a delightful romance. A murder occurs and a minute.-later a beautiful-woman walks into the nextdoor apartment ,of a> handsome bach--elor. <,What happens thereafter forms the plot of a most linusual picture. The second 'attraction-, stars 'Spencer Tracy and Wendy .Barrie in a production full of comedy, romance, and thrills, entitled "It's a Small .Worl^d."

"Sweet Adeline," Warner Bros.' new musical spectacle and the most pretentious "of all their special productions, is 1 now showing' with Jrene" Dunne, famous stage and screen singing star, in the title role, at the Princess' Theatre. The picture "is taken from the sensational Broadway hit by Jerome Kerniand Oscar Hammcrstcin 11, aria iis crammed 'with hilarious comedy,'dahghtful romance, and stirring drama. in addition to its specialty numbers. The cast includes Hugh Herbert, Nydia Westman, Ned Sparks, and Joseph Cawthron. An epic "in comedy with delightful nonsense made to seem reasonable by-the-inimitable Wheeler and Woolsey,. "Hips, Hips, Hooray," an RKO-Radio musical extravaganza, with lots of beautiful girls, hit tunes, original dances,-and spectacular moments, is the additional*'- feature. ~ Thelma Dorothy Lee, and Ruth Etting are in the supporting cast. The programme also includes several entertaining short subiects. .

"Shadow,' of Doubt" is the. principal attraction on • the weekend programme at the Regal' Theatree.. The story deals with a picturesque, elderly woman, possessor of millions, a recluse in America's biggest city who emerges from obscurity to solve a "perfect crime." Ricardo Cortez, Virginia Bruce, Arthur Bryan, and Regis Toomey play, the main roles. A Hal Roach comedy, a colour cartoon, and two newsreels complete the programme.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"George While's 1935 Scandals" is the main feature on an outstanding bill screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight at-7.45. -Alice Faye, James Dunn, Ned Sparks, Cliff.Edwards, and George "White afe""'Se"en""in'"an" amazing- and costly.; production ;which is rich in star value;?■ comedy, gay- tunes, beautiful girls,' and spectacle. The second feature, "Transient Lady," stars • Gene Eaymondi'Frances .Drake, Henry Hull, and June Clayworth, in an exciting story which concerns two women in love"with~the same man. and to which a .murder charge adds thrills and suspense. At a special matinee tomorrow afternoon at 2.15 Jackie Cooper, Mitzi Greenland Robert ■. Coogan will be seen in "Skippy."

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.,

An exceptionally fine weekend programme is to be> screened at the Empire 'Theatre this' evening. The principal" attraction is "The Gay Bride," starring;: ChesterVMorris and Carole Lombard. . The story deals with the ihilarious difficulties of racketeers after repeal,: when their enormous profits have, been cut off. Nat Pendelton and Zasu Pitts "head a large supporting cast. A Hal Roach comedy, a cartoon, an M.G.M. 'oddity, a" Metrotone newsreel, and a Universal newsreel complete the programme.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. '

"Broadway Bill," declared to be Frank Capra's greatest picture, surpassing even "It Happened One Night," comes to the Palace Theatre tomorrow. The stars- are "Warner Baxter and Myrna L'oy. Based upon Mark Hellinger's, magazine story, "Broadway Bill" presents the romance of a man and a girl,, both imbuediwith the love of horses arid-a. roving nature. In the • supporting. cast are Walter Connolly, Helen Vinson, Lynne Overman, Raymond ' Walburn, Clarence . Muse, Margaret Hamilton, and many others.

"Murder in the Clouds,"- the First National production which is to be the feature attraction at the Grand Theatre; tomorrow,./is "a. melodramatic mystery thriller with an amazing plot involving the commission of wholesale murder thousands of feet in the air.' There is also a romance in which two air pilots battle for the love of Ann Dvorak. Lyle Talbot and Gordon. Westcott,are the .rivals. Westcott is also' one o"f the conspirators.

NEW EMPIRE THEATRE,' PETONE.

"JLots of Fun" will bo the main feature at the -New Empire Theatre tomorrow.. The, story concerns the rise of Edmund. Lowe from an auctioneer to the foremost broadcasting announcer and reporter in America. Lowe and Gloria Stuart, blonde and more beautiful than ever, furnish plenty of thrills as he rises ■ and falls on the way to the top. Apart from a remarkable cast,-the picture presents many of the latest' song hits.'

DE LUXE THEATKE, LOWER HUTT

•Tonight at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt, the main feature will be "Fashion Gaieties of 1934," one of ' the o -most elaborate fashion displays ever presented ■on the screen; with William Powell in the stellar role. A. mammoth spectacle is a fan dance in which 200 beaulilul girls perform'in'feather costumes. Bette Davis has 'the 11 leading feminine role opposite Powell, while others in the cast include Frank McHugh, Vcrree JCeasdalc,' Reginald Owen, and Henry O'Neill,

STATE THEATRE.

RIVOLI THEATRE.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

KIIiBIRNIE JvINEMA.

Audiences every where have hailed "Charlie Chan in Egypt" as the most thrilling, engrossing, and ingenious of the "Chan.'?1 series to date. Once more starring Warner Oland, the picture is. now showing at the Stale Theatre. It is the story of Charlie Chan's eeriest adventure in the.land of the Pharaohs. Priceless gold and jewelled treasures from the • tomb of Ameti. an ancient! high priest, are: stolen from among: those brought to light by the French Historical Society's expedition, near Luxor on the Nile, the great river and land over which Cleopatra once ruled. Charlie Chan is hired by the society to; trace the-thefts and to apprehend the thieves. Three mui-ders occur and everybody wonders whether it was Sekmet, the cat-headed Egyptian goddess of vengeance who struck down those disturbing the monarch's in their .final slumber. Death casts its shadow over the entire family of the expedition's leader and Charlie Chan's skill and courage are tested to. their limit, but he finally solves the crimes in one of. the most thrilling sequences ever filmed. "Pat" Palerson, as the daughter of the expedition's leader, gives unusual support-to Warner Oland, and Stepin Fetchit, as a native of the desert sands who becomes Charlie Chan's strange and frightened aide, creates many comic situations.

Tonight and - tomorrow Rivoli patrons will be treated to a particularly well-balanced and. popular programme that should provide one ol the best all-round' entertainments seen .for some time. ■■' "The Gilded Lily," Claudctle Colbert's latest starring'vehicle, is a gay, efEervescent, and light-hearted comedy, and a direct hit for the star, •who has been. seen in so : marly, recent successes. Assisted by Fred MacMurruy and Roy - Millard 'in the principal romantic roles, Miss Colbert gives an entire performance in her' topnotch comedy vein, and with short and delightful sequences of the dancing and singing she: first introduced in "Torch, Singer." Bristling-with fresh sallies of wit and crisp, fast dialogue, "The Gilded Lily' moves.rapidly and happily from opening scene to the fade-out. Wesley Ruggles made, a fine job of direction, and all the players, including C. Aubrey Smith, Luis Alberni, and Tom Dugaii contribute :to the general hilarity, v Joe Morrison, the new singing sensation,. is featured in "Love m Bloom." Set in Manhattan the picture tells'the love story of a girl who runs away-from'her father's carnival-arid a boy who hopes to win fame" by his songs. Just as this pair of romantic youngsters, are-getting on their feet, her goofy brother and sister-in-law, who are spending their honeymoon in a calliope .arrive" and start to mix things up. How the young lovers evade Jhe honeymooners and finally get to the altar despite their help brings the picture to its laughable climax. There are five popular song hits. The supporting programme is said to be the strongest seen at the Rivoli for some time. . i

Tomorrow's matinees are ideal in their appeal to (lie children, Jackie Cooper as "The Lone Cowboy," aii'l Bruce Cabot as "Midshipman Jack," being specially selected. Monday's change, includes Edward G., Robinson's latest success "The Man With Two Faces" and Claude , Rams in "Crime Without Passion." ,

| f ARTCRAfT -THEATRE. - I; The Artcraft Theatre is closed tor extensive alterations and renovations, and will be opened shortly as the •Tivoli Theatre under the-, control of tfte Rivoli .Theatre Company. The same;pbpular policy,.as that.now operating at the Riyoli Theatre wilV.ba introduced.

A double-feature programme of outstanding merit.is showing at Our Theatre. Clark Gable and Constance Bennett are co-starred for the first time in the M.GJM. ■ production. "After Office Hours." A fast-moving story of adventurous romance, it deals with a society murder mystery against a background of modern newspaper life. One of the most sympathetic of all love stories "Laddie," based on Gene Stratton Porter's famous novel, is the second attraction.

"Werewolf of London" and "One Hour' Late" will conclude a successful season at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. Tomorrow's bill consists of two remarkable productions. The main attraction is Warner Bros.' thriller "Devil Dogs of the Air," with Pat O'Brien and James Cagney, the two great stars of Here Comes the Navy." The supporting cast includes Frank McHugh and Margaret Lindsay. Spectacular air stunts, with aeroplanes crashing in mid-air, bursting into flame and spinning to the ground, provide thrills that beggar -description. The additional attraction is the riotous musical naval comedy "Jack Ahoy," starring Jack Hulbert, with Nancy O'Neill and Tamari Desni. "Devil Dogs of the Air" will be screened at the matinee at 2 p.m. *